Railway truck



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I! l I i l INVENTOR WILLIAM H. MEYER.

Oct. 21, 1941.

W. H. MEYER RAILWAY TRUCK Filed March 15, 1939 IIIII I HHFQE BY @ZM M ATTORNEY v Oct. 21, 1941. w. H. MEYER RAILWAY TRUCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15, 1939 INVENTOR WILLIAM H MEYER ATTORNEY Oct. 21, 1941. w. H. MEYER 2,259,477

RAILWAY TRUOK Filed March 15, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY W. H. MEYER RAILWAY TRUdK Oct. 21, 1941.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Margh 15, 1939 R N w w R. E x 9 o ..........i k WM M A rial Ia W R .s m.

II|||| ll WILLIAM H.

-ATTORNEY Oct. 21, 1941. w. H. MEYER RAILWAY TRUCK Filed March 15, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR H. MEYER Patented Oct. 21, 1941 RAILWAY TRUCK William H. Meyer, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to General Steel Castings Corporation, Granite City, IlL, a corporation of Delaware Application March 15, 1939, Serial No. 261,864

30 Claims.

The invention relates to railway rolling stock and consists in an articulated truck structure particularly adapted for six Wheel trucks intended for heavy loads as under locomotive tenders or freight cars.

The main object of the invention is to provide a six-wheel truck with a truck frame consisting of a plurality of parts, there being sufiicient flexibility or play between the parts to permit lateral movement of the middle axle of the truck relative to the end axles under the usual operating conditions Without excessive lateral thrusts against the wheel flanges and without requiring floating action of the middle axle in its journal boxes or lateral movement of the middle axle boxes in their pedestals.

This main object is accomplished by forming the truck frame of at least two units, one unit including relatively movable side members arranged for two axles and the other unit embodying rigidly connected side members arranged for a single axle, the two units being pivoted to each other so as to provide horizontal swiveling action between the latter and between the individual side members of the first mentioned unit. It is further accomplished by arranging for swiveling action between the journal boxes and spring seats thereon for springs supporting the frame members of the units.

Another object of this construction is to simplify the equalizing system for distributing the loads on the axles without departing from the advantageous feature of springs mounted directly on the tops of the journal boxes, which feature is embodied in well known usual truck designs. The main advantage of this feature is that the rail shocks are transferred directly from the journal boxes to the springs above the boxes before being transmitted to the truck frame instead of being first transferred to a heavy side -frame or equalizer and then to the springs and bolster as in some other designs.

This second object is accomplished by arranging the pivotal connection between the side frames and the other framing structure so that the side frames act as equalizers to distribute the load on the axles.

Another object of this construction is to reduce the weight of a truck which embodies springs mounted on top of the journal boxes for directly supporting the frame wheel pieces. This is accomplished by having the side frame parts act as equalizers so as to simplify the equalizing construction now embodied in the usual 6-wheel tender truck.

These and other detailed objects are attained by the structure as shown drawings in which Fig. 1 is a top view of one longitudinal half of a six-wheel truck, portions being sectioned as indicated onlines a:-a: and yy of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1 and indicating portions of the brake gearwhich are not shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical transverse sections taken on the corresponding section lines of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 corresponds to Fig. 1 but illustrates another form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig, 5 except for a restricted part which taken on corresponding section lines of Fig. 5.

Figs. 10 and 11 correspond to Figs. 5 and 6 but illustrate another form of the invention.

Figs. 12 and 13 are vertical transverse sections taken on the corresponding section lines of Fig. 10.

Figs. .14 and 15 correspond to Figs. 5 and 6 and 10 and 11 but illustrate another form of the invention.

Figs. 16 and 17 are transverse vertical sections on the corresponding section lines of Fig. 14..

Fig. 18 is a top view of the truck shown in Figs. 14-17 but illustrating diagrammatically the positions assumed by the truck parts on curved track.

In the six wheel truck illustrated in Figs. 1 to i the journals l of the two left hand axles mount journal boxes 2 which are slidably received in pedestals 3 of side frames 4, the side frames at opposite sides of the truck being substantially independent of. each other.. Each side fram is supported upon its boxes 2 by groups of coil springs 5 supported upon individual spring seats 6, each having a spherical base received in a spherical concavity 1 in the top wall of the corresponding box 2. Preferably renewable wear plates 8 are provided between seat 1 and the top wall of box 2. Side frames 4 are shown as of hollow truss-like construction to house springs 5 and to provide a deep middle portion apertured at 9 transversely of the frame for receiving a cross bolster ID. The ends of cross bolster l0 are seated on bearings l l formed in side frames 4 and preferably the seats are of concavo-convex formation and may include renewable wear plates 12. Cross bolster I0 is at one end of a framing structure which includes wheel pieces [3 having depending pedestal legs l4 for receiving the axle in the accompanying other ends of members 22 merge with the crossbolster l0. Brackets 25 project from Wheel pieces [3 and are recessed at 26 to receive tongues 2! projecting from adjacent ends of side frames 4 and. thereby limit relative movement of the side frames and framing structure transversely of the truck.

Brackets 28 depend from the framing structure and the brake hangers 29 may be suspended fromv these brackets in the usual manner. Brackets 30 project from bolster I01 and form fulcrums 3| for the dead levers (not shown); End rail 20 includes brackets 32 for abrakecylinder 33. The outer. endsof side frames 4'-include brackets 34 for brake hangers 35.

Preferably elements [0, l3, l9, 2T, 22, 23,. 24, 25, 2'8, 30, 3| and.3 2 are cast integral with each other but these parts may be formed separately and riveted, bolted or welded to each other. These parts form a truck unit relative to which thesideframes- 4 may pivot in horizontal,longitudinal vertical and transverse. vertical planes because of the bearings of bolster ID on the side frames. This bearing is located at a level slightly above the axles and provides access to and inspection of. the brake shoes,- brake heads and adjacent brake parts. If desired the side frames may be deepened. and-the elements of the side frames may be of lighter cross sectionwithout undue sacrifice of load capacity.

Depending ears 36 (Fig.8) and lateral ears 3'! (Fig. 1-)- on the end-portionsof bolster l engage opposing elements on frames 4 and prevent disalignment of the parts, there being sufficient tary frame structure, the truck asa whole has;

horizontal swiveling action under the vehicle body similar to present trucks, and therefore it will adjust itself on the track relative to the car body in the usual manner. In addition to this action, the two axle side frames 4 will swivel horizontally relative to the unitary frame structure to permit the center axle to move laterally relative to the. end axles, and further by means of the swivel bearings between the tops of the journal boxes for these two end axles and the spring seats, these endaxleswill have movement in a horizontal plane relative to the side frames, these movements thereby eliminating excessive lateral thrusts against the wheel flanges;

The two side frames 4 act sis-equalizers be-- tweenthe two'axles journaled therein. The unitary frame-structure also acts asan equalizer to distribute the-load, the pointof support being lo cated so that the loadsare equally distributed to allthe axles.

In the formof the invention illustrated in Figs.- to 9; the side frames 4!] correspond to the side frames 4 previously described. and include the spherical seats 4| for the ends. of a cross bolster 42, corresponding generally to cross bolster [0 previously described, but constituting a separate unit.

The framing structure includes the wheel pieces 43 with pedestals receiving the journal boxes 44 of theright hand axle 45. These wheel pieces extend forwardly and upwardly at 46 and overlie and rest upon side frames 40 with which they have a ball and socket connection maintained by bolt 41 (Fig. 7). A cross transom 48 connects wheel pieces 43.

The center bolster has a center bearing portion 49 and longitudinal arms 5E3 which extend downwardly and longitudinally of the truck beheath cross bolster 42 and transom 48 and swing hangers 5i and 52 suspend arms 50 from the cross bolster and transom and provide for lateral movement of the bolster relative to the remainder of the truck structure. Transverse members 42 and 48 are of hollow box section with apertures in their lower walls to permit the passage therethrough of hangers El and 52 respectively and the wheel pieces 43 are of box section. with their extensions 46 opening downwardly to receive the adjacent portions of side frames 40 (Fig. 9) whereby the height of the elements 46 above the rail. is limited and the swiveling movement of the side frames 40 is limited.

The structure includes side bearings, brackets for the brake hangers and levers (not shown) and interengaging lips onthe cross bolster and side-frames as previously described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4. The outer ends of arms 50 are connected by braces 53 and movement of the swing bolster transversely of the truck is limited by elements 54 oncross braces 53 and opposing elements 55 and 56 on cross-bolster 42 and transom 48 respectively.

The parts are so proportioned that the load applied to the truck through center bearing 49 is distributed equally to all of the axles and a portion of the load transmitted to the framing structure 43-4648 is transferred to side frames 4Eland the two left hand axles independently of cross bolster 42.

Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 illustrate a generally similar construction embodying a center bolster 60 pivotally suspended from a cross bolster 61 and a cross transom 62 by swing links 63. Cross bolster 5i terminates in swivel bearings 64 received in suitable seats 65 on side frames 66. Wheel pieces 61 of the framing structure mounted on the right hand axle extend upwardly and forwardly at 68 above side frame 66 without resting directly upon the latter but curve inwardly at 6811 and merge with cross bolster 6|. The opposing elements indicated at 69 (Fig, 13) limit swiveling movement of side frames 66 and framing structure 61. The equalization of the load and the accommodation of relative lateral movement of the axles corresponds to that in the structures previously described.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17, the side frame H1 which supports the cross bolster H and the framing structure wheel pieces 12 is supported upon springs 14 seated on drop equalizers 15 extending between the. journal boxes 1.6 on the two left hand axles 13. The equalizer supports TI include ball and socket bearings on the boxes whereby the boxes and. equalizers may pivot on each other similar to the pivoting of the boxes and side frames in the structures previously described. Aside from this method of supporting the frames 79 the assembly of the parts and distribution of the load corresponds to that shown inFigures -9.

In all forms of the invention th middle axle may move transversely of the truck relative to the tWo end axles without the necessity of the axle box floating in its pedestal. There is no undue lateral thrust on the wheel flanges and rail heads such as tends to exist in the usual rigid six-wheel truck arrangement. This is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 18 in which the inner face of the inside rail on a curve is indicated at 88, the bottom centers of the three wheels contacting the rail at 8|, 82 and 83 respectively, the middle Wheel being offset laterally of th truck from the outer wheels as indicated at 84. This ofisetting of the middle axle 85 from the end axles 85 and 81 is accompanied by disalignment of the side frame 88 mounted on axles 85 and 86 and the wheel pieces 89 of the frame structure mounted on axle 81 and on frame 88, the two units pivoting about the point 89. The extent of disalignment is indicated by the angle 90. Obviously the offsetting of therniddle wheel at the opposite side of the truck, and the angular relation between the side frame and the framing wheel piece will be the reverse of that illustrated in Fig. 18.

In each form of the invention the load is distributed equally to all the'axles and the rail shocks received by the wheels, axles and journal boxes are absorbed by the springs before reaching the truck framing. The various forms of the invention are effected for the intended purpose, and the parts ar simple and readily constructed and assembled. These parts, in the assembly, may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and th exclusive use of those modifications coming within the scope of the claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. A railway truck comprising at least three wheeled axles, spring units carried on said axles at the sides of the truck, each of said units yielding independently of the other units, rigid side frames extending over two of said axles and mounted on corresponding spring units, rigid framing structure supported in part directly on said side frames and in part by the spring units on another axle, the centers of each spring unit supporting the, side frames and framing structure respectively directly over the corresponding axle, and means for receiving the truck load and transmitting it to the wheeled axles through said framing structure and side frames, said framing structure and side frames in themselves forming sole means equally proportioning the truck load on said means to all of said axles. V

2. A truck as described in claim 1 in which the means for receiving the truck load includes a single center bearing.

3. A truck as described in claim 1 in which the framing structure includes wheel pieces positioned outwardly of the longitudinal vertical plane of the wheels on each side of the truck, there being a cross bolster extending between and carried on the side frames and located intermediate two of the axles and supporting corresponding ends of said wheel pieces, and the load receiving means being spaced from said cross bolster and located over one of the axles.

4. A truck as described in claim 1 in which the framing structure includes wheel pieces, positioned outwardly of the longitudinal vertical plane of the wheels, and spaced cross bolsters extending between said wheel pieces, the load receiving means being supported by said cross bolsters and located intermediate the same, one of said cross bolsters extending between and carried on the side frames.

5. A truck as described in claim 1 in which the framing structure is pivotally connected to the side frames to swivel relative thereto in a horizontal plane.

6. A truck as described in claim 1 in which the side frames and framing structure both include pedestals slidably receiving the axle journal boxes.

'7. A railway truck comprising at least three axles, journal boxes on said axles, rigid side frames each supported from two of said axles at points spaced longitudinally of the truck and directly above the corresponding boxes, and rigid framing structure having pivotal connections direct to said side frames and supported through said connections and by the other axle boxes, said side frames being constructed and arranged to swivel on said pivotal connections and relative to said framing structure in vertical planes extending longitudinally and transversely of the truck through said pivotal connections and in a horizontal plane extending through said pivotal con nections, and means for receiving the truck load and transmitting it to the wheeled axles through said framing structure and side frames, said framing structure and side frames in themselves forming sole means equally proportioning the truck load on said means to all of said axles.

8. A truck as described in claim 7 in which the load receiving means constitutes a center plate for pivotally supporting a vehicle body.

9. A truck as described in claim '7 in which the framing structure includes spaced cross bolsters, one of which extends between and is pivoted to the side frames, there being a center bolster supported by said cross bolsters and arranged for pivotal connection, between the latter, to superstructure mounted on the truck.

10. A truck is described in claim 7 in which the side frames and framing structure both include pedestals slidably receiving the axle journal boxes but holding the latter against substantial movement laterally of the frames and structure in which they are mounted.

11. A truck as described in claim 7 in which the pivotal connections between the framing structure and the side frames comprise a cross bolster with its ends pivotally mounted on the side frames.

12.In a six-wheel truck, axles, side frames having pedestals and extending between one of the end axles and the middle axle, journal boxes on said end axle and said middle axle and slidable vertically in said pedestals, springs mounted on said journal boxes and supporting said side frames at points spaced longitudinally of the truck and directly over said boxes, framing structure pivoted directly upon said frames and supported in part by said frames and in part by springs and journal boxes on the other end axle, said side frames and framing structure being connected to swivel in a horizontal plane relative to each other, and said first mentioned end axle and said middle axle with their journal boxes beingv arranged to swivel in a horizontal plane relative to said side frames and their supporting springs so as to provide lateral movement of the middle axle relative to the end axles, there being means for receiving the truck load and transmitting it to the wheeled axles through said framing structure and side frames, said framing structure and side frames distributing the load on said member equally'to said axles.

13. A truck as described in claim 12 in which the truck load receiving means constitutes a center plate for pivotally supporting a vehicle body. I

14. A truck as described in claim 12 in which the journal boxes are slidable vertically in the side frames and framing structure and are held against substantial lateral movement therein.

15. A truck as described in claim 12 which includes a center bolster mounted upon the framing structure and movable relative thereto laterally of the truck and supporting the truck load receiving means.

16. A truck as described in claim 1 in which the truck load receiving means includes a single center bearing for supporting the load, the same being movable laterally of the side frames and framing structure and located over one of said axles and having transversely spaced arms extending longitudinally of the truck alongside the inner faces of the truck wheels and supported at their ends on the framing structure intermediate the adjacent axles.

17. A truck as described in claim 1 in which the framing structure includes spaced cross bolsters, there being swing hangers pivotally suspended therefrom, and the load receiving means consists in a center bearing carried by said hangers and movable thereby transversely of the framing structure.

18. A truck as described in claim 7 in which the load receiving means comprises a center plate for pivotally supporting a vehicle body and is mounted on the framing structure to move laterally thereof.

19. A truck as described in claim 7 in which the framing structure includes spaced cross bolsters, there being swing hangers pivotally suspended from said cross bolsters, a center bolster including a body supporting center plate and transversely spaced arms extending longitudinally of the truck alongside the inner faces of the truck wheels and supported at their ends upon said hangers for movement transversely of the framing strucure.

20. A railway truck comprising three axles, side frames supported by two of said axles, and framing structure mounted on the other axle and on said side frames, said framing structure including wheel pieces on each side of the truck and a cross bolster extending between and pivoted directly to said side frames, swing hangers pivoted to said cross bolster and framing structure at points spaced apart longitudinally of the truck and at opposite sides of the center axle, and a load supporting center bearing straddling the center axle and including transversely spaced arms extending longitudinally of the truck alongside the inner faces of the truck wheels and carried by said swing hangers, said framing structure and side frames forming sole means for distributing the load directly to points over all of said axles and being there supported by said axles.

21. A truck as described in claim 20 which includes springs supporting the side frames and the framing structure on the axles.

22. In a six-wheel truck, aside frame on each side of the truck mounted on two axles, and framing structure mounted on the third axle and having pivotal connections to said side frames intermediate their ends, said framing structure having side "memberswith pedestals outside of the wheels of its respective axle and having a portion of each side member curved inwardly and extending between its adjacent supporting wheel and the middle wheel, said portions merging with each other to form a transverse member extending across the truck, said framing structure including a cross bolster extending between'said side frames, and a longitudinal member extending between said transverse member and said cross bolster and located inwardly of the middle wheels and having side bearings adjacent to said wheels, and a body supporting centerbearing on said longitudinal member and located above the middle axle, said side frames and side members having pedestals, and journal boxes adapted to move vertically in said pedestals, and springs mounted on said journal boxes for directly supporting said side frames from said axles and said framing structure at points spaced longitudinally of the truck and immediately above said boxes.

23. In a six-wheel truck, side frames on each side of the truck for two axles, a cross bolster pivoted at its ends to the intermediate portions of said side frames, a unitary frame for the third axle having longitudinally extending arms located outwardly of the plane of the truck wheels and pivotally connected at their ends to the intermediate portions of said side frames and having a cross transom between the middle axle and said third axle, and a separate truck center bolster supported by said cross bolster and by said transom.

24. In a six-wheel truck, the combination of separate side frames for two axles and a unitary rigid frame for the third axle, said unitary frame being pivotally connected to the intermediate portion of said side frames and comprising longitudinal members extending over the tops of the adjacent portions of said side frames, and a cross bolster extending between said side frames and beneath the pivotal connections of said unitary frame and said side frames.

25. Ina six-wheel truck, side frames for two axles, journal boxes in said axles, said side frames having pedestals for guiding said journal boxes during relative vertical movement of the boxes and side frames, individual springs mounted on said boxes and supporting said side fram'es near the ends of the latter and independently of each other, individual springs on the boxes of the third axle, a unitary frame having one end supported on said latter mentioned spring and having longitudinal arms, "said unitary frame being pivotally supported at the ends of said longitudinal arm on the tops of said side frames, and a bolster extending between said side frames independently of said arms and pivotally connected to said side frames, and truck load supporting means carried by said unitary frame and bolster.

26. In a six-wheel truck, side frames on each side of the truck for two axles, a cross bolster pivoted at its ends to said side frames, a unitary frame for the third axle having longitudinally extending members pivotally connected at their ends to said side frames at points above the pivotal connections of said cross bolster, said unitary frame having a cross transom between the middle axle of the truck and said third axle, and a separate truck center bolster supported by said cross bolster and said transom.

27. In a railway six-Wheel truck, side frames for two axles, springs supported by the truck axles and supporting said frames at points immediately over said axles, a unitary frame supported in part immediately over the third axle and including wheel pieces extending over and clear of said side frames, there being a cross bolster connecting the ends of said wheel pieces and pivotally connected directly to the intermediate portions of said side frames, a transom between the middle axle of the truck and said third axle, and a separate truck c'enter bolster supported by said cross bolster and by said transom.

28. In a railway six-wheel truck, frames carried on two of the truck axles and each comprising a truss-like side member with upper and lower chords spaced apart vertically, framing structure carried on the other axle and extending over and being supported on said upper chords, a cross bolster extending between said frame side members and being supported on said lower chords, and a load supporting center plate carried by said framing structure and cross bolster.

29. In a railway six-wheel truck, springs supported on two of the truck axles, side frames supported by said springs at points immediately over said two axles, each of said frames comprising a truss-like member with upper and lower chords spaced apart vertically, framing structure carried on the other axle and on said side frames, there being a cross bolster extending between said side frames and being supported directly on said lower chords, and a load supporting center bolster extending between and carried by said framing structure and cross bolster.

30. A truck as described in claim 1 in which the framing structure includes wheel pieces and a cross bolster between said wheel pieces, there being another cross bolster between the side frames, and a center bolster extending between and supported by said cross bolsters.

) WM. H. MEYER. 

